2 responses to “One Hundred and Twenty-Four Years Ago”

@Carl Didn’t really know of Helms œuvre, but his death does seem to have generated some interesting discussion.
As you describe it, it seems that being principled is a tricky thing. It works best when you have power or when your principles are in line with those who do have power. Otherwise, having convictions can be a way to be “convicted.”😦

In a bit of local news, Jesse Helms just died on the Fourth. His demise has depolarized him somewhat, and in the coverage he has been charitably described as a man of his time and place who insisted that you can compromise your preferences, but not your principles.

A guy who apparently agreed with him about that was just forcibly retired as head of the state weights and standards lab for refusing to fly their flag at half mast for that bad man Helms.